Senior Armenian clerics express unwavering loyalty to Catholicos Karekin II

Panorama

A group of Armenian archbishops and bishops on Thursday issued a statement reaffirming their support to Catholicos Karekin II. The full text of the statement is provided below.

“We, the undersigned archbishops and bishops of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, express our filial and unconditional loyalty to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and its nationally elected Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Karekin II.

We consider any attempt to resolve intra-church matters through political intervention, regardless of justification, both unacceptable and dangerous. All issues concerning the governance and internal life of the Church must be addressed without discrimination, guided by brotherly love, the high conscience befitting apostolic bishops, and the competent ecclesiastical and congregational bodies, in accordance with the canonical procedures of our Holy Church.

The deliberate omission of the Patriarch of All Armenians’ name during the sacred Liturgy is intolerable and condemnable, representing a serious violation of ritual canons and, from an ecclesiological perspective, an act that fosters division.

We are confident that the unity and peace of our Holy Church transcend personal, group, or other interests and will be strengthened through communion rooted in love, truth, and justice, as affirmed in the apostolic exhortation: “I beseech you, brothers, keep away from those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine that you have learned. Keep away from them” (Romans 16:17).

We are convinced that through the joint efforts of our bishops, effective solutions will be found for the benefit of our Holy Church.”